[Health Tip] Hands, Feet, and Jaw Gradually Enlarging Due to 'Malganbidaejung'... Early Treatment Needed

The pituitary gland is a brain tissue located almost at the center of the brain, with a small size of less than 1 cm, but it plays a very important role in regulating hormones throughout the body. It is involved in a wide range of physiological activities, from growth and development to metabolism, pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. 'Pituitary tumors' that arise in this pituitary gland are relatively rare diseases, with an incidence rate of about 3 per 100,000 people. Most are benign, and malignant cases are uncommon.

Tumors are classified as functional or non-functional depending on whether they secrete hormones. Non-functional pituitary tumors mainly cause problems due to tumor size increase, which can lead to symptoms such as vision loss, pituitary dysfunction, and diplopia caused by pressure on surrounding tissues. Functional pituitary tumors may also cause problems due to their size, but more commonly, excessive secretion of specific hormones depending on the originating cells is the main issue.

Growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumors are representative functional pituitary tumors. When they occur during the growth period, excessive hormone action causes increased height, commonly referred to as gigantism. If hormone secretion continues after the growth period, the bones of the extremities such as the nose, jaw, hands, and feet enlarge, a condition called acromegaly. Acromegaly shows characteristic physical changes, mainly protruding forehead and jaw, and enlarged, thickened hands and feet. Changes in the vocal cords can cause the voice to become hoarse or deep. In addition to changes in appearance, it also affects internal organs and metabolic functions, often accompanied by diabetes. It has been found that the frequency of cardiovascular diseases such as heart enlargement, heart failure, and arrhythmia significantly increases, making related treatment essential.

The goal of acromegaly treatment is to resolve the excessive secretion of growth hormone. Generally, complete removal through surgical treatment is the foundation, but if surgery alone is insufficient for a cure, additional drug therapy may be administered. Additionally, radiation therapy can be used to further reduce tumor size and prevent recurrence.

Professor Yoo Hee-jun

Professor Yoo Hee-jun of the Department of Neurosurgery at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital said, “Acromegaly is not a mild disease; it increases the risk of various metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and even raises the risk of death. However, if detected early, various treatment options can be considered, and health can be restored afterward. Therefore, if suspected, it is essential to seek medical consultation and receive active treatment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.